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Getaway driver for convicted cop shooter sentenced

By:

James Galloway

The getaway driver in the 2013 shooting of a Nassau County Police Officer in New Hyde Park was sentenced Friday to seven years in jail and five years of post-release supervision.

Renhang Qiu, 24, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in May 2014 to burglary in the first degree. The shooter, Cong Xu, 22, of Brooklyn, was sentenced earlier this month to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Philip Grella delivered both sentences. “This sentence closes the chapter on a case of greed gone terribly wrong, which led to the shooting and serious wounding of a police officer,” Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said. “This case is yet another reminder of the dangers that police face every day on the job.”According to the district attorney’s office, Xu was fleeing from a burglary in New Hyde Park when he shot Nassau County police officer Mohit Arora in the groin.Arora, who was 32 years old and a six-year veteran of the force, and another officer were responding to a 911 call by the homeowners of 241 Campbell St. to report a burglary in their home, police said at the time.According to the district attorney’s office, the officers confronted Xu as he fled the premises. As Xu ran away from the officers, he turned and fired several shots from a handgun, hitting Arora in the lower abdomen.“Police Officer Arora was shot and seriously injured while doing a dangerous job that thousands of other officers do every day — protecting and serving our communities,” Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement following Xu sentence. “On behalf of the people of Nassau County, I give my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Officer Arora and to his brothers and sisters in uniform for their commitment to keeping us safe.”At a press conference after Xu’s sentencing, Arora said he felt “so fortunate to be alive.” “[Xu[ got what he deserved, and I just want to move on with my life at this time,” Arora said. “It was a traumatic experience, and I learned a lot from this.”Arora said he is back on full duty but is still undergoing physical therapy. Both Qiu and Xu were caught following a search that included the use of a police helicopter. Police said Xu was apprehended on Flower Lane and Nugent Street. Qui was caught on Lakeville Road at Sylvia Lane.The owners of the Campbell Street home, Michael and Annie Chen, called 911 after they were awakened by a noise downstairs. Shortly thereafter, the Chens were confronted by Xu, who brandished a 9-millimeter handgun, police said.Xu had entered the home through the basement window, police said.